A new true-crime series depicting the infamous 1989 trial of the Menendez brothers is set to debut on Netflix as part of producer Ryan Murphy’s “Monster” anthology. Following the success of Season 1, which featured Evan Peters as serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and received six Emmy nominations, the next installment focuses on the Menendez case.
Titled “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” the series stars Javier Bardem as Jose Menendez and Chloë Sevigny as Kitty Menendez. Nicholas Chavez and Cooper Koch portray their sons, Lyle and Erik Menendez, who were convicted of murdering their parents.
The case gained national attention on August 20, 1989, when 21-year-old Lyle Menendez called 911, reporting, “Someone killed my parents!” Police arrived at their Beverly Hills home to find Jose and Kitty shot to death while watching television. Jose had been shot six times and Kitty ten times. Initially, investigators suspected the murders might be connected to Jose’s business dealings or organized crime.
At the time of the murders, Erik and Lyle claimed they were at a movie theater watching “Batman.” However, while the investigation unfolded, the brothers engaged in extravagant spending, quickly depleting their inherited fortune of $700,000 on luxury items and investments within just six months.
Their façade began to unravel in March 1990 when Judalon Smyth, the mistress of their therapist, reported that Erik had confessed to the murders during therapy sessions. Increased scrutiny led to Lyle’s arrest on March 8, followed by Erik’s surrender days later. The brothers were portrayed as having killed their parents to inherit a $14 million estate.
The trials began in July 1993, with Lyle revealing during his testimony that his parents had sexually abused him from ages six to eight. Erik corroborated these claims, stating that the abuse continued and led to their parents’ murders when he confided in Lyle. Emotional testimony from family members supported their accounts, detailing instances of abuse and manipulation.
Ultimately, the first trial ended in a mistrial due to a deadlocked jury, leading to a retrial starting in October 1995 that focused more on the brutal nature of the murders and less on the alleged abuse, which the prosecution dismissed as the “abuse excuse.”
Lyle chose not to testify during the retrial, and on July 2, 1996, both brothers were found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Since their conviction, they have attempted to appeal the case but without success.
“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” is currently available for streaming on Netflix.